Bundled Together Lifnei Hashem

Only once a year was entry into the Kodesh HaKadoshim sanctioned. With the service of the haktarat haketoret, the burning of the incense, the Kohen Gadol was allowed to enter the holiest sanctum in the world. The Gemara Keritot (6a-6b) explicates the various different ingredients of the ketoret and their measurements. Almost all of the […]

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Of Sticks and Bundles: Jerusalem’s Surprising Dispensation

In the times of the Second Temple, when we had the privilege of bringing sacrifices in Jerusalem and eating from sanctified foods, there was an intense emphasis on maintaining ritual purity. Unfortunately, there were many Jews who were not sufficiently knowledgeable in these laws to properly remain tahor (pure). This reality forced the sages to […]

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The Jewels of Jerusalem

Our parsha contains a fairly public display of wealth and donations. In the beginning of parshat Pekudei, Moshe Rabbeinu makes a reckoning of all of the money and items donated to the Mishkan and it amounts to an impressive amount. This ceremony seems to go against the thrust of the Talmud’s wisdom of not flaunting […]

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